Valve lock



sepa 2z, 1927.

R. Y. MICKLER VALVE LOCK Filed March 50, 19x26 ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. Z7, 1927.

UNTTED STATES PATENT orifice.

RAYMOND Y'U'LEE M ICKLER, OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORDA, ASSIGNOR TO Cl'IlY OFJACKSONVILLE, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OIE THE STATE F FLORIDA.

VALVE LooK.

Application filed. March 30, 1926. Serial No. 98,529.

This invention relates to valve locking devices and pertainsparticularly to an improved type of valve lock.

The primary object of this invention is the provision, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, of a valve lock of simple construction and easilyand quickly placed in position to lock a valve against unauthorizedoperation.

The invention contemplates the provision of a pair of relatively flatelongated members designed to be positioned one on each side of a valveof the type having a T-shaped operating head. Provision is 'made for theextension of each of the arms of said T-head through one of the members,and a padlock or other securing means is employed for securing the upperends of the members together over the head. The lower end of each of themembers is provided with means for engaging beneath the nipples by whichpipes are secured to the valve, to prevent the members from being movedfrom position.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing forming a part of this specification, with the understandingthat the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with theshowing of the drawing but may be changed and modified so long as suchchanges and modifications mark no material departure froml the salientfeatures of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing tl Figure 1 shows the locking structure embodying thisinvention, in side elevation and applied to a valve.

Figure 2 shows the device partly in transverse section and partly infront elevation.

Figure 3 shows a complete front elevation of the locking structurelooking towards the side upon which the padlock is positioned.

Referring now to the drawing in detail wherein like numerals ofreference indicate corresponding parts throughout, there is indicatedgenerally by the numeral 1 a twoway valve body having the oppositelydirected ports or pipe coupling nipples 2 and the valve stem 3 which, asis clearly shown in Figure 2, terminates in the substantially il-shapedoperating head 4. This head has the laterally directed portions or arms5 which are adapted to be engaged by an operating wrench.

A device in accordance with this invention and for the purpose set forthcomprises a pair vof curved oppositely disposed locking `elements freeof connection with each other. Said elements include relatively long,bro-ad, flat members or bars 6 and 7, respectively, each of which hasthe end portions thereof obtusely angled as indicated at 8 and 9,respectively. As is clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, the angled ends 8are directed from one side of their respective members while the ends 9are directed from the opposite side. Each of the members 6 and 7 isprovided at its central portion with the aperture 10, through which oneof the arms 5 of t-he head f1 is adapted to extend as is shown in Figure2. The members 6 and 7 have their upper ends inclined toward one anotheras shown, when placed in position, thus bringing the angled portions 8into relatively close relation and directing the outer angled ends 9downwardly along each side of the valve body.

Each 0f the end portions 9 of the members tapers toward one` side edgeof the member as is clearly shown in Figure 1 and merges into the shank11 of a hook bill 12. These hook bills are designed to pass beneath andengage the underside of a nipple 2 of the valve, and as is clearly shownthe portions 9 taper or are directed in opposite directions that is,referring to Figure 1, the vportion 9 of the member 7 tapers toward theright edge of the member whereas the portion 9 of the member 6 taperstoward the left edge thereof thus causing the hook Shanks 11 to bevdirected downwardly, one on each side of the valvek body, in divergentrelation.

v Each of the body end portions 8 is provided with an aperture 13, whichapertures come into alignment when the members are placed into positionas shown in Figure 2, and through these aligned apertures the shackle14; of a padlock 15 is passed, thus securing the members in position oneither side of the head tot the valve.

It will be readily seen from the foregoing description that when themembers 6 and 7 are placed into the position shown in Figure 2, with thehood bills passed beneath the valve nipples 2 in opposite directions asshown, that, when the padlock is in position Cil to secure the ends 8 inthe manner as shown, it will be impossible for any unauthorized personto engage the headL of the valve to turn the sarne to open the pipe linein which the valve is placed.

Having thus described niy invention what I clairn is:

A lock for the purposeconlprising a pair of curved oppositely disposedlocking elements free of connection with each other, each of saidelements having its lower portion in the 'forni of a rod bent to providea hook formed with a bill to removably einbrace one ot the lateralnipples of a valve body, each of said elements having its upper portionformed of a flat bar extending at right 'angles to the hook, each barhaving a pair of alined apertures, the apertures of one bar aligningwith the apertures `of the other bar, the lower aligning apertures forthe reception of the operating heads of the valve stern, to lock saidhead, the upper aligning apertures for the lreception of a releasablelooking device for said elements, said hooks being curved laterally fromeach other with a bill peripherally engaged with a nipple atoppositesides of the valve body, and the bars opposing each other andeach receiving an arm of the head, said bars being inset with respect tothe upper ends or' said rods and extending towards each other.

In testimony whereof, I afiix iny signature hereto.

' RAYMOND YULEE MICKLER.

